Below is a compiled list of the most interesting facts about Karl Urban. Check it out!
Originally from Wellington, New Zealand, Karl Urban now lives in Auckland. Born on June 7, 1972, he is the son of a leather-goods manufacturer (who had hoped that Karl would follow in his footsteps). His first acting role was when he was 8 — he had a line on a television series. However, he did not act again until after high school. He was offered a role in the NZ soap opera Shortland Street (1992) as he was preparing to attend Victoria University. After appearing on the series for the 1993-1994 season, he attended the university for one year, then left to pursue his acting career. Over the next few years, he landed several theater roles in the Wellington area. Eventually, he moved to Auckland, where a number of guest roles in NZ television followed. One of his first roles was that of a heroin addict in the drama series Shark in the Park (1989). He was in a movie as well, entitled Once in Chunuck Bay (aka Chunuk Bair (1992)). Other television roles followed, including a guest-starring role in the series White Fang (1993). Karl’s biggest roles include Éomer in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, as well as Dr. Leonard “Bones” McCoy in Star Trek (2009), William Cooper in RED (2010) and Judge Dredd in Dredd (2012).
Interesting Facts about Karl Urban
- Primary school classmates with Jack Yan.
- Has two sons with his wife Natalie Wihongi: Hunter Urban (born November 2000) and Indiana (Indy) Urban (born January 2005).
- Has appeared in The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003), which was previously made as an animated film with the voice of John Huston. Urban later appeared in Comanche Moon (2008), a prequel to Lonesome Dove (1989), which featured Anjelica Huston.
- Is an ambassador for KidsCan, a charity that supports more than 16,000 disadvantaged children by providing shoes, food, and coats.
- Has replaced Tommy Lee Jones as Woodrow Call in the Lonesome Dove series, and Sylvester Stallone as Judge Dredd. Both characters previously appeared in films opposite Diane Lane.
- Good friends with co-stars Viggo Mortensen from The Lord of the Rings and Renée O’Connor from Xena: Warrior Princess (1995).
- Very good friends with his Star Trek (2009) co-stars Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto.
- On the set of The Chronicles of Riddick (2004), he passed the time by playing Dungeons & Dragons with Vin Diesel, Judi Dench and Thandie Newton.
- His father is a German immigrant and owned a leather-goods factory. His mother worked for Film Facilities in Wellington, New Zealand.
- His accent as Dr. Leonard “Bones” McCoy in Star Trek (2009) was so reminiscent of DeForest Kelley that it reportedly moved Leonard Nimoy (who starred alongside Kelley in the original series and films) to tears.
- Has been a huge fan of the 2000 AD Comics’ character Judge Dredd since his teens and got to play the character in the film adaptation Dredd (2012).
- Has a black Lab terrier named Ire (pronounced eye-ree) after a Bob Marley song (from the album “Uprising”).
Personal Quotes by Karl Urban
That is a big danger, losing your inspiration. When I work in film and television I try to do each take a little differently. I never want to do the same thing twice, because then you’re not being spontaneous, you’re just recreating something.
Karl Urban
Now I’m this far up the ladder and I’ve got so much farther to go with what I want to achieve with it.
Karl Urban
I’ll need every ounce that I have to drive it through. Film and TV require that energy. Sometimes fight scenes can be pretty intense. When I was shooting ‘Heaven’ it was truly guerrilla film-making.
Karl Urban
I’m high energy.
Karl Urban
If I read a script and find it engaging and I start making choices in my mind on how to approach the work, than that’s a good indication that it is something worth pursuing.
Karl Urban
